North Rye offers education places to people with ASD. Most learners have high functioning autism, some learners have Asperger Syndrome and experience particular difficulties as a result of their limited social awareness. Seventeen of the places available are residential and learners reside at Ashleigh Hall of Residence where a 24-hour curriculum is in place. Learners at North Rye generally require a slightly higher level of support to those at Tasker.

Learners at North Rye follow ESPA’s Curriculum and programmes are individually tailored based on specific need and interests. A strong social skills element is designed to equip the learner with the necessary skills to enable them to enjoy a more comfortable, confident and independent adult life. There are well established links with Newcastle College and Kenton College. Learners are able to attend a range of external courses with varying levels of support.

Programmes of study are three years and are structured to enable learners to follow a social skills based programme in their first year. The second year focuses increasingly on attending Sector College and vocational courses. In the third year of the programme a vocational / academic route is developed as appropriate to the individual, this may include work experience. In the final year it is crucial that all relevant agencies are involved in transition planning to ensure that needs are met appropriately in the next placement.

North Rye offers its learners a varied and comprehensive leisure skills programme giving learners maximum opportunity to access the wider local community. Where any activity poses a particular risk to the learner, a thorough risk assessment is carried out.